The soft glow of candlelight flickered over Severus's desk as he meticulously reviewed his latest draft. The parchment was already filled with precise formulations, alchemical theories, and annotated modifications, but he wasn't satisfied. Not yet.
It had taken weeks of refining his arguments, cross-referencing texts, and incorporating feedback from Aurora and Professor Langford, but now—now it was ready.
His first published research paper. His work focused on improving the efficacy of Essence of Dittany—a common healing potion that, while effective, had limitations in treating deeper tissue damage. By integrating a controlled infusion of Silverthorn Extract, a rare magical herb known for its regenerative properties, he had increased the potion's ability to accelerate internal wound healing without risking toxicity. It wasn't a groundbreaking discovery—not yet. But it was a step forward. A step toward making his name known in the potions world.
"You're submitting this under your real name?" Aurora asked, leaning back in her chair as she scanned the final draft.
Severus didn't look up from his notes. "Why wouldn't I?"
Aurora snorted. "Because half of Britain will lose its mind when they see the name 'Severus Shafiq' attached to a potions breakthrough."
He smirked. "Let them."
She studied him for a moment before shaking her head in amusement. "I like this version of you."
"I've always been like this."
"No," she corrected, smirking. "You've always been capable. Now you're confident."
Severus hummed in response, rolling up the parchment and sealing it with wax. "Where do I send it?"
Aurora pushed a form across the desk. **"Professor Langford already contacted a few journals. The American Potions Guild is interested, but she suggested aiming higher—the International Alchemical Review, which is part of the ICW's recognized publications. If you get published there, your name will be on an international platform."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Ambitious."
Aurora grinned. "So are you."
He picked up the form and signed his name boldly at the bottom:
Severus Shafiq
For the first time, he wasn't just improving potions for himself. The world was going to know his name.
Despite his progress in publishing, his real challenge remained unfinished.
The rejuvenation elixir was still imperfect.
The base formula worked, but its effects weren't consistent across different magical constitutions. The Moonstone infusion process needed more stabilization—otherwise, the potion's potency fluctuated unpredictably. The texture was slightly too viscous, making absorption less efficient.
Failure wasn't an option. For hours, Severus experimented in the potions lab, adjusting the stirring patterns, ingredient ratios, and brewing temperatures.
Aurora occasionally dropped by, watching with curiosity but saying nothing.
Jonas, ever the duelist, smirked at the sight of Severus glaring at a cauldron. "Never thought I'd see a guy fight with a potion."
Severus exhaled through his nose. "It's not fighting me. It's resisting innovation."
Ben leaned against the counter. "That's just a fancy way of saying 'it's kicking my ass.'"
Severus shot him a look. "It is not."
Ben grinned. "Sure, buddy."
Severus scowled but kept working. The potion would be perfected—it was only a matter of time and persistence.
Severus had expected a quiet evening. Maybe some research, maybe some potion refinements.
Instead? He was being dragged—quite literally—into the Ilvermorny training grounds by Alessandro, Jonas, and Ben.
The massive outdoor space, tucked behind an enchanted clearing, was typically reserved for dueling practice and physical training. Tonight, however, it was being used for something far less formal—a boys' workout session that Severus had apparently been voluntold into.
Severus raised an eyebrow as he took in the scene.
Jonas and Ben were already stretching, their shirts tossed aside as they prepared for what looked like combat training. Alessandro, meanwhile, was adjusting his hair in a reflective surface conjured from his wand.
Severus folded his arms. "This is ridiculous."
Ben grinned, flexing his arms. "No, this is necessary. You want to duel at peak efficiency? Then you need conditioning."
Severus scoffed. "Magic doesn't require brute strength."
Jonas smirked. "And yet, every top-tier duelist maintains their body like an athlete. You think spell speed and endurance come from nothing?"
Severus hesitated. He had always relied on strategy, precision, and raw magical power to win duels. He had never once considered physical training as part of the process.
Alessandro clapped a hand on Severus's shoulder. "Besides, compagno, you don't have to be a duelist to appreciate the benefits of looking good."
Ben snorted. "Merlin, Alessandro, do you ever think about anything besides impressing women?"
Alessandro grinned. "Of course. I also think about how to keep impressing them."
Severus rolled his eyes. "This is absurd."
Jonas smirked. "Not as absurd as you running laps in a robe. Take it off, Shafiq."
Severus stared.
Alessandro waggled his eyebrows. "Not like that, caro. Just ditch the outer robes and roll up your sleeves. We're not running a monastery here."
Severus huffed but complied, rolling up his sleeves and unbuttoning the top of his uniform shirt.
Ben grinned. "Alright. Let's see what you've got, prodigy."
Severus was unprepared for the brutality of the training.
The first time Ben swept his legs out from under him, he barely had time to twist mid-air before hitting the ground.
Jonas offered a hand. "Get up, genius. You fight with your brain, but you need to fight with your body, too."
Severus scowled but took the offered hand.
By the time they reached the running segment, Severus was questioning all of his life choices. The magical terrain shifted beneath them, conjuring wind resistance and illusionary traps. Jonas and Ben were unbothered, weaving through effortlessly. Alessandro… well, he kept up while fixing his hair mid-run.
Severus was fairly certain he was going to murder him.
By the time they collapsed onto the grass, sweat-drenched and breathless, Severus was forced to admit one thing. This had been valuable.
Jonas leaned back, grinning. "You're a quick learner."
Severus exhaled sharply. "I always am."
Alessandro smirked. "And yet, you seem to lack experience in one critical area."
Severus narrowed his eyes. "Which is?"
Alessandro grinned, stretching his arms lazily. "Dating."
Ben snorted. Jonas raised an eyebrow in amusement.
Severus stared. "That is irrelevant."
"Oh, but it's not." Alessandro sat up, looking far too delighted with himself. "You have brains, you have ambition, and now, thanks to us, you'll have a decent physique. But what you lack, dear Severus, is the proper Ilvermorny experience."
Jonas smirked. "He means casual dating."
Severus exhaled. "I don't have time for relationships right now. I have goals."
Alessandro waved a hand. "Who said anything about serious relationships? Casual dating is entirely normal. As long as you communicate and set clear expectations, it's just… enjoyable company."
Ben nodded. "Ilvermorny isn't Hogwarts, mate. People here aren't obsessed with blood status or prestige marriages. It's… normal to go on dates, have fun, figure out what you like."
Severus considered that.
At Hogwarts, relationships were a battlefield of social status, alliances, and unspoken expectations. Here… it was apparently just a part of life.
Alessandro smirked. "So, Shafiq—how about we set you up?"
Severus snorted. "Not happening."
Kiera's voice suddenly cut in from behind them.
"That's what you think."
Severus turned sharply to see Kiera and Evie standing a few feet away, arms crossed and wearing identical smirks.
Alessandro grinned. "Ladies, perfect timing."
Evie grinned deviously. "So, we hear Severus Shafiq is single."
Severus sighed deeply.
This was going to be a problem.
Unlike the chaos with the boys, Severus's interactions with Kiera, Evie, and Aurora were entirely different.
With Aurora, they challenged each other in potions, spellwork, and magical theory. Their debates were sharp, intelligent, and brutally honest. He respected her—not just as a friend, but as a worthy competitor.
If Alessandro was trouble, Kiera was the strategist behind it. She was the one who nudged Severus out of his comfort zone, teasing him into situations he wouldn't have voluntarily stepped into.
Evie took great pleasure in pushing Severus's limits—whether through harmless pranks, social bets, or handing him a shot of something suspiciously bright blue.
Severus eyed the glass. "What is it?"
Kiera grinned. "An Ilvermorny tradition. First-term initiation."
Aurora smirked. "Or are you scared, Shafiq?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Fear has nothing to do with it."
Still, he took the shot and swallowed.
…It burned like liquid fire.
Aurora snorted. Evie cackled.
Severus grimaced. "That was terrible."
Kiera grinned. "And now you're officially one of us."
Severus exhaled but didn't argue. Perhaps… he already was.
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